Chapter 13
[A very very happy moment I am writing it on 25th August and yesterday only I got my first reader i just feel so good mai bata nahi sakti yaar mere gharwale mujhe pagal samajh rahe he thank you so much]
@_tiny_turtle
Kabir's Perspective
The morning was a chaotic blend of rescheduled classes and the merging of sections. Commerce and non-medical students were now thrown together, and the energy in the hallway was electric. As I walked towards our new classroom, Anaya's unmistakable voice pierced through the noise.
"Didi! If you find a jiju for me, you have to tell me first!"Anaya's voice was filled with innocent excitement, and I could see Aditi's cheeks flush crimson from where I stood. Her attempt to laugh off the situation was met with a sea of curious stares from her classmates.
As I entered the classroom, I saw the scene unfolding—Aditi was trying to manage the sudden attention with a mix of embarrassment and irritation. Her classmates were buzzing around her, clearly enjoying the unexpected drama.
Raghav, who had already settled into his seat, noticed me and grinned widely. He leaned over and nudged me with his elbow, a playful sparkle in his eyes. "Seems like Anaya's made a big splash this morning. Didn't know you were in the running for 'Best Jiju'!"
I rolled my eyes but couldn't hide my smile. "Yeah, well, Anaya's enthusiasm is something else. It's like she's trying to set up a matchmaking service at school."
Raghav chuckled. "I heard her all the way from the other end of the hall. She's got some serious volume for a little sister."
I glanced back at Aditi, who was visibly relieved to have the focus shifted away from her. The classroom was slowly calming down as students settled into their new seating arrangements.
I moved to sit next to Aditi, placing my bag beside her desk. She looked up at me with a mixture of gratitude and relief.
"Hey, Aditi," I said, trying to ease the lingering tension. "So, when are you planning to find Anaya a jiju? She seems pretty determined to have one."
Aditi's eyes widened, and she let out a small, nervous laugh. "Seriously, Kabir? Can we not do this now? Anaya's just being playful, and I'm not in any mood to discuss this."
Jai, who had taken his place beside Raghav, leaned in with his usual smirk. "Wow, Aditi, didn't know you were so sensitive about it. It's just a bit of fun."
I shot Jai a look that was a mix of annoyance and warning, but he only seemed to relish the discomfort he was causing.
-Skip Time to end of School-
The classroom buzzed with the usual chatter as the teacher left for the day. I was just about to pack up my stuff when Jai swaggered over, his usual smirk firmly in place.
"Hey Kabir," he said, his voice dripping with insincerity. "So, looks like you and Aditi are pretty cozy these days."
I glanced at him, already feeling a twinge of irritation. "We're just sitting together today. What's your point?"
Jai leaned in, his eyes glinting with a mix of arrogance and something darker. "Oh, come on. Don't play dumb. It's obvious you've got a thing for her. I mean, who wouldn't? But don't get too comfortable."
I crossed my arms, trying to keep my cool. "And why's that? Because you've got some history with her?"
Jai chuckled, clearly enjoying the situation. "Exactly. You see, I know Aditi a lot better than you ever will. We go way back. I used to show up at her house back in sixth grade just to hang out. We had our little moments."
His taunting words were getting under my skin. "Yeah, and I suppose you think that gives you some kind of special insight into her life?"
Jai nodded, his smirk widening. "Pretty much. You might think you know her, but trust me, you barely scratch the surface. I know things about her that you could only dream of."
I clenched my fists, struggling to keep my temper in check. "Look, Jai, I don't care about your past with her. We're talking about now, and right now, she's dealing with you being a jerk."
Jai raised an eyebrow, his expression mocking. "Oh, really? And what makes you so sure of that? I thought you were just here to make up the numbers. You're not exactly her type, you know."
I took a deep breath, trying to remain calm. "It's not about 'types.' It's about treating people with respect. If you're still holding onto some old grudge, that's your problem. I'm just here to focus on the present."
Jai's smirk faltered slightly, but he quickly recovered. "You're so naive. I just hope you're ready for the reality check. Aditi's got a lot more going on than you realize. And when she gets tired of your act, don't say I didn't warn you."
I shot him a look of disdain. "And I suppose you're the expert on Aditi's feelings and needs, right? Maybe you should just move on and stop trying to mess with my head."
Jai's eyes narrowed, clearly irritated. "Fine, if that's how you want to play it. Just remember, I've been there, done that. Don't say I didn't give you a heads-up."
With that, Jai turned on his heel and walked away, leaving me seething with a mix of frustration and relief. His taunts were as shallow as they were irritating, and I was determined not to let them get to me.
As I packed up my things and prepared to head out, I couldn't shake off the feeling that Jai's insecurities were the root of his behavior. His need to belittle me and assert his old connection with Aditi was just a way to deal with his own shortcomings.
I took a deep breath and shook my head, focusing on the positives. Aditi was more than capable of handling her own past, and I was not about to let Jai's petty games interfere with how I saw her or how I felt about her.
As I walked towards the gate, I pulled out my phone and saw a message from my mom.
Mom: "Please get 1/2 kg dhokla and some chocolates for home. We have guests."
I sighed, but a small smile tugged at my lips. Mom always knew how to keep me on my toes, even on the busiest of days. I headed to the local sweet shop, picked up the dhokla and chocolates, and then made my way home.
As I walked up to our house, the usual quiet was replaced by the sound of giggles and shouts. I barely had time to open the door before two small figures jumped out from behind it, shouting, "BOO!"
Startled, I took a step back, only to realize it was my little brother, Arjun, and Aditi's sister, Anaya. They were beaming, clearly pleased with their ambush.
"Arjun! Anaya! You almost gave me a heart attack!" I laughed, shaking my head at their antics.
Arjun grinned up at me. "We got you good, Bhaiya!"
Anaya, her eyes twinkling with mischief, nodded vigorously. "Yep! You didn't see us coming!"
I bent down to their level, giving each of them a gentle tap on the head. "Alright, you two, what are you up to?"
Before they could answer, I noticed the drawing-room door was slightly ajar. Inside, I could see my mom sitting with Aditi's mom and my chachi, engrossed in conversation. I quickly straightened up, entering the room with a polite smile.
"Namaste, Aunty," I greeted Aditi's mom, touching her feet out of respect.
She smiled warmly at me, "Arrey beta, bache pair nahi chhoote! Come, sit with us." She gestured for me to sit beside her. I set the bag of sweets on the table and joined them.
"So, Kabir, how was school today?" she asked, her tone light and conversational.
I glanced at Anaya, who was still standing by the door with Arjun, clearly eager to hear what I would say. "Well, Aditi is always extraordinary, but today, Anaya here stole the show."
My mom's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Oh really? And how did our little Anaya manage that?"
Anaya giggled, quickly running over to my side. "I just asked Didi if she finds a jiju for me to tell me first," she announced proudly.
"And she did it by shouting it loud enough for the whole school to hear," I added, shaking my head with a grin.
The room burst into laughter, and I couldn't help but join in, the memory of Aditi's mortified expression still fresh in my mind.
My chachi, who was always quick to jump into teasing, leaned forward with a knowing smile. "Well, Aditi is such a smart and beautiful girl; I'm sure finding a jiju for Anaya won't be too hard. I bet there are plenty of boys with crushes on her."
Aditi's mom smiled fondly at that. "Yes, Aditi has always been focused on her goals, but she also has a kind heart. When the time is right, I'm sure she'll find someone who sees all the wonderful things we see in her."
I could see the twinkle in my mom's eyes as she looked at me, clearly enjoying the light-hearted conversation. "And what about you, Kabir? Do you think Aditi has a line of suitors waiting for her?"
I felt a slight flush rise to my cheeks, but I tried to keep my tone casual. "I'm sure she does, but Aditi's too focused on her studies to worry about all that right now."
Anaya, however, wasn't about to let me off the hook. "But Bhaiya, don't you want to find someone special too? Like a jiju for me?"
Arjun, always eager to jump in, added, "Yeah! Someone who'll bring us chocolates all the time!"
I laughed, shaking my head at their enthusiasm. "You two are too much. But no, no jiju for you anytime soon. You'll just have to wait."
My mom smiled at the exchange, clearly pleased with how things were going. "Well, no need to rush. You just focus on your studies, Kabir. The rest will happen when it's meant to."
Chachi, never one to miss a chance for a playful jab, chuckled. "That's true. But you know, love has a funny way of sneaking up on you when you least expect it."
Aditi's mom nodded in agreement. "Yes, sometimes the best things in life come when you're not looking for them. One moment, you're focused on your career, and the next, someone special walks in and changes everything."
After the lively conversation in the drawing room, I retreated to my room, eager to dive into my studies and clear my mind from the day's events. The house had quieted down, and I welcomed the peace as I opened my books and began to focus. The rhythmic hum of the ceiling fan and the faint sounds from the kitchen provided a soothing backdrop, helping me immerse myself in the tasks at hand.
Just when I was beginning to get into the groove, a soft knock on my door interrupted my concentration. I sighed, slightly annoyed at the intrusion. "Kaun hai?" I called out, expecting one of the usual suspects.
A small, mischievous voice responded from the other side, "Bhut!" followed by the unmistakable giggles of two little rascals.
I couldn't help but smile. "Aajao," I said, knowing it was none other than Arjun, my chachi's son, and Anaya, Aditi's little sister, who seemed to have made herself quite at home here.
The door creaked open, and sure enough, they both bounded into the room, Anaya leading the charge with a chocolate bar in her hand—the same one I had brought home earlier. She approached me with an exaggerated grin.
"Bhaiya, Mumma ne bola aapko thank you bolu chocolates laane ke liye, to THANK YOU BHAIYAAA!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with so much enthusiasm that I couldn't help but laugh.
Those last three words were so loud they could have startled the entire neighborhood. Fir iska jiju kaun banta? Kitna chillati hai ye! Aur badi wali bolti hi nahi, I thought, suppressing another chuckle.
"You're welcome, bache," I said, ruffling her hair playfully. Anaya simply giggled, clearly pleased with herself.
Arjun, who was never one to miss out on the action, sidled up next to me, his eyes filled with curiosity. "Bhaiya, teri Didi bhi aise hi hai? Matlab, chilati firti hai waise?" I asked Anaya, half-jokingly, trying to picture the composed Aditi acting like her lively little sister.
Anaya giggled again, shaking her head. "Nahi Bhaiya, jab mere saath ya Mumma-Papa ke saath hoti hai, bas tab."
I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh, bas tab, huh? Matlab, otherwise she's all serious and silent, right?"
Anaya nodded with a big grin. "Haan! Par jab maza aata hai na, tab Didi bhi mast hoti hai."
I smiled at the thought of Aditi having a playful side that only her family got to see. It made sense. Everyone had different sides to them, and it was clear that Aditi's relationship with her sister brought out a different aspect of her personality.
Just as I was about to ask more, Aditi's mom called from downstairs, probably signaling it was time for them to leave.
"Anaya, chalo ab!" Her voice echoed faintly from the drawing room.
Anaya and Arjun turned to leave, but not before Anaya flashed me one last cheeky grin. "Bye Bhaiya!" she chirped, skipping out the door.
"Bye, and be good!" I called after them, watching as they ran down the hallway, their laughter trailing behind them.
As I shut the door and returned to my desk, I couldn't help but think about how different Aditi and Anaya were, yet how close they seemed. Aditi's composed, focused demeanor was such a stark contrast to Anaya's bubbly, carefree nature. But maybe that was what made them such great sisters—they balanced each other out.
With a small smile lingering on my face, I turned back to my books, feeling a little lighter. The day had been full of unexpected twists, but somehow, the light-heartedness that Anaya and Arjun brought with them had helped me shake off the earlier tension.
As I dove back into my studies, I couldn't help but think about Aditi a little more. She was like a puzzle, with so many layers that I was only just beginning to understand. The more I learned about her, the more I realized how much more there was to know.
Maybe Jai had been right about one thing: Aditi wasn't someone you could figure out easily. But that didn't mean I was going to back down or let his words get to me. If anything, I was more determined to see through the layers and understand her better, not because I felt I needed to, but because I genuinely wanted to.
And if Anaya's mischievous nature was any indication, there was a lot more to Aditi's world that I hadn't seen yet. One thing was for sure—this wasn't the last time Anaya and Arjun would be stirring up some fun, and I had a feeling that my connection to this family was only just beginning.
Aditi's perspective
I was hunched over my textbooks, sitting at the dining table, trying to focus on the chemistry equations in front of me. The house was unusually quiet, which should have made it easier to study, but my mind kept wandering back to the chaos of the day. Anaya had managed to turn a normal school day into a full-blown circus with her loud proclamation about finding a jiju. I sighed, pushing the thought aside and trying to concentrate.
The front door creaked open, breaking the silence. I looked up from my book, half-expecting to see Mom, but instead, I heard the familiar sound of Anaya's excited chatter. A few seconds later, she burst into the room, her face lit up with happiness.
"Didi! Didi!" she exclaimed, practically bouncing on her toes as she rushed over to me.
Before I could ask what had gotten her so worked up, Mom walked in, smiling warmly as she placed her bag on the side table. "Aur beti, kaise ho? Mile Anaya ke jiju?" she asked, her voice laced with teasing humor.
I rolled my eyes, exasperated by the continuation of what had already been a long day. "Aaj aapki beti ne kam pareshaan kiya hai jo aap bhi shuru ho gaye," I replied, trying to sound irritated, though I knew it was a losing battle.
Anaya, always quick to pick up on the playful mood, giggled and clambered onto the chair next to me. Her eyes sparkled with mischief as she leaned in close. "Didi, Mumma bas mazak kar rahi hai. Aap itni grumpy kyun ho?"
I sighed, trying to maintain my serious expression but failing as a small smile tugged at the corners of my lips. "I'm not grumpy, Anaya. I just had a long day, thanks to you and your loud mouth."
Mom chuckled as she took a seat across from us, clearly enjoying the banter. "Achha, achha, grumpy queen. Tum dono behne bas yeh yaad rakhna, ki hum sab tumhare saath hain, chahe tum grumpy ho ya na ho."
I rolled my eyes again, but this time with affection. "I know, Mumma. But seriously, Anaya, why did you have to shout like that at school? You know how embarrassing that was, right?"
Anaya shrugged nonchalantly, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "I just wanted to know who my jiju will be. It's important!"
I couldn't help but laugh at her reasoning. "Important for whom? You? Or me?"
Anaya grinned, her dimples showing. "For both of us, Didi! But mostly for me. I need to make sure he'll be nice to me and bring me chocolates."
Mom burst out laughing at that, shaking her head. "This girl, I tell you. You're already planning the poor boy's duties, and he's not even here yet!"
I sighed, placing a hand on my forehead as if to ward off an impending headache. "Mumma, please. Can we not talk about this right now? I'm trying to study, and this isn't helping."
Mom reached over to pat my hand, her expression softening. "Alright, alright, I won't tease you anymore. But you have to admit, it was kind of funny."
I couldn't deny that, so I simply nodded, trying to refocus on my books. But Anaya wasn't done yet.
"Didi, I met Kabir Bhaiya today! He was at home, and I thanked him for the chocolates he brought. He was so nice!"
I looked at her, slightly surprised. "Kabir? At home? How did that happen?"
Mom chimed in before Anaya could answer, "Oh, we were visiting his place today. I needed to discuss something with his mom, and Anaya tagged along. She had a blast playing with Arjun."
Anaya nodded enthusiastically. "Haan, and we scared Kabir Bhaiya too! We shouted 'Boo!' when he came home. You should've seen his face, Didi. It was so funny!"
I couldn't help but smile at the thought of Kabir being ambushed by two little devils. "Poor guy. He's too nice to even scold you, isn't he?"
Anaya grinned wider. "Yep! He just laughed and ruffled my hair. He's the best!"
Mom leaned back in her chair, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Aditi, Kabir seems like a very nice boy. It's good that you have a friend like him."
I immediately shook my head, feeling the need to clarify. "We're not friends, Mumma. We're just classmates. And honestly, it's more of a rivalry than anything else."
Mom raised an eyebrow, a small smile playing on her lips. "Aditi, you're way too harsh on everyone. Just because you compete in class doesn't mean you can't be friends."
I crossed my arms defensively. "It's not about being harsh. It's about staying focused. Kabir and I are both aiming for the top, and that doesn't leave room for distractions like friendship."
Mom sighed, her expression softening as she looked at me. "Beta, you're so driven, and I'm proud of you for that. But life isn't just about competition. It's also about the people you share it with."
I frowned, not entirely convinced. "Mumma, I get that, but right now, my studies come first. I can't afford to lose focus."
Anaya, who had been listening intently, suddenly piped up. "But Didi, Kabir Bhaiya helps you with your studies, right? So, that's a good thing!"
I glanced at her, trying to find the right words. "Yes, he helps sometimes, but that doesn't mean we're friends. It's just... mutual benefit."
Mom chuckled, shaking her head. "You might call it whatever you like, but it sounds like a friendship to me. Just don't be so quick to push people away, Aditi. You might find that they bring something valuable to your life."
I didn't respond, partly because I didn't know what to say, and partly because I didn't want to admit that maybe, just maybe, she had a point. Instead, I buried my head back into my books, hoping that the conversation would end.
Mom stood up, understanding my need for space. "Alright, beti. We'll leave you to your studies. Come on, Anaya, let your sister concentrate."
Anaya pouted but complied, giving me one last grin before skipping out of the room with Mom.
As the door closed behind them, I let out a deep breath, glad to have some peace and quiet again. But as I stared at the pages in front of me, I couldn't help but think about Kabir and what Mom had said. We're not friends, I had insisted, but as I replayed our interactions in my head, I wondered if that was entirely true.
I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts. There was no time for distractions right now. Chemistry awaited, and I was determined to master it.
Still, as I returned to my work, I couldn't completely shake off the warmth that had settled in my chest. It was nice to know that my family liked Kabir, even if Anaya's constant teasing drove me up the wall. There was something comforting in the way they accepted him so easily, as if he was already part of our extended circle.
But for now, I pushed those thoughts aside, focusing instead on the equations in front of me. There would be time to think about everything else later.